Young Huron QB grows up against Airport

NEW BOSTON — New Boston Huron quarterback Matt Hartwick amassed over 200 total yards and 3 touchdowns in Huron’s 28-21 win over rival Airport, running the offense efficiently with poise in the pocket and reads that would make a veteran proud.

Not too bad for a sophomore.

The only interception that he threw came late in the fourth quarter by the hands of Airport’s Scott McCormick.

“It’s as good as a punt,” Kalbfleisch said. “They still had to go 80 yards and our defense was playing well. I told him to pick it up and that it was ok. If he gets a sack, he runs another 25 seconds off of the clock and we punt it anyways.”

The Chiefs (3-4) were able to stay ahead of the Jets when they needed to, led defensively by Tyler Olson’s 10 tackles and an interception from Devin Collins.

Relying on a strong defense, Hartwick was able to come into his own both rushing and passing, growing into a leadership role at just the right time.

It also helps having Ian Robinson in the backfield with you.

Both Hartwick and Robinson ran for 120 yards in the Huron League victory that was tight throughout. Hartwick amassed his 120 on only 18 carries, one carry less than his senior cohort.

Hartwick completed 6-of-10 including a 29-yard touchdown toss to Olson to open up the scoring in the first half.

On the other side of the ball, Airport was dealt a blow when senior running back Josh Bernard was knocked out in the second quarter, having led all rushers until rolling his ankle.

As the Jets answered back late in the game on a rush from McCormick, a failed onside kick set the Cheifs up with good field position to wind down the clock, only to have the ball picked off. But the strong Huron defense was able to snuff out any hopes for a last-minute drive, containing the pass as they had all night long, not allowing a single completion by means of strong pressure and good coverage.

That aggression on defense was what Kalbfleisch was hoping for, despite being down a leader.

Collins finished the night second in tackles for the team with nine on a night when a powerful offense needed a strong defense.

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